FORMER Barnsley captain Paul Reid is hoping they win the battle of his former clubs tomorrow and has backed former team-mate Martin Devaney to take his opportunity as interim boss.
Former defender Reid played for both the Reds – who need a win to guarantee a place in the League One play-offs – and their mid-table visitors Northampton Town.
Reid told the Chronicle: “I will have my Barnsley hat on for this game.
“I loved my time at Northampton but, with nothing riding on it for them, I really hope the Reds can get into the play-offs and win them. If you had given them this situation at the start of the season to get in the play-offs, they would have snapped your hand off.
“Northampton have had a decent season. They have nothing to play for which can go both ways – they could take their foot off the gas or, because they are more relaxed, they could play better.”
Reid made 128 appearances for the Reds from 2004 to 2008, including captaining them to promotion in the 2006 League One play-offs alongside Devaney – Reds caretaker for tomorrow’s game – and Marc Richards who is now a first team coach at Northampton.
“I am delighted Davvers has this opportunity. He’s been on that coaching journey. He’s experienced, he played in big games as a player, he knows the club and the players inside out. I am sure he will have his own ideas for the team.”
Reid signed for Barnsley from Northampton then had another spell with the Cobblers in 2013/14.
“I have great memories of Northampton. I needed football after not playing at Glasgow Rangers. It was a short spell and we lost on penalties in the play-offs. Then I was suddenly talking to Barnsley about moving there.
“As soon as I got there my mind was made up. I loved it there.
“I was fortunate to be a professional footballer. I didn’t play in the FA Cup final or a World Cup, that was never going to happen.
“But captaining Barnsley in those play-off games – that was my World Cup.
“It was the pinnacle of my career and I have nothing but fond memories of my time there.”
After retiring, Reid was academy manager at Sunderland but now lives on the south coast and manages a team of finance directors.
He attended Barnsley’s 3-2 loss at Portsmouth last week where his eight-year-old son Freddie was the Reds’ mascot.
“We got some strange looks when we walked into the mascot room and there were 20 kids in Portsmouth kits and just Freddie in a Barnsley kit.
“He’s massively getting into football at the moment so he loved it. It was a great occasion and atmosphere.
“The Barnsley staff were fantastic.
“Davvers and the others were very kind to spend some time with him.
“I was being a diva dad and making demands of the staff so he had the best possible experience but they did everything they could for us.
“I thought Barnsley played really well. They went toe to toe with Portsmouth and gave them a game. I know it wasn’t the result they wanted but it should give them confidence.”
